A True Foster Care Success Story

At just seven years old, Sean had already experienced more instability than most adults face in a lifetime. 

When Sean began receiving foster care services at Cayuga Centers, he had already experienced multiple placements. On top of that, he experienced behavioral struggles and educational setbacks.

After researching local connections, our foster treatment team contacted Sean’s cousin, Lorriene, and her husband. Both knew the foster care system from their own childhood. They were willing to step forward as kinship foster parents. 

“They didn’t want to see him remain in the system,” the treatment team shared. “They came in with the mindset that he’s not leaving unless it’s back to his parents.” 

With a multigenerational family ready to support Sean and a committed treatment team, what unfolded wasn’t just progress. It was a complete transformation created by patience, love, and a village of people who refused to give up or let go. 

Building trust and stability 

Sean had never met his cousin before being placed with her. This meant that building trust would become one of their biggest hurdles. On top of that, he entered care functioning at a low academic level and needed extensive educational support. 

Once Sean was officially under the care of Lorriene, everyone set out to guarantee the family’s success.

The team worked together and: 

• Advocated for developmental, educational and medical testing and evaluations 
• Made sure Lorriene never missed a parenting meeting when it came to reviewing Sean’s treatment plan 
• Assisted with navigating applications for benefits 
• Provided behavioral support, trauma-informed strategies and clinical support 
• Ensured consistency in routines and expectations 
• Helped Lorriene understand permanency options for her family and for Sean 

The power of a strong support system 

Lorriene describes the Cayuga Centers staff as her lifeline. Their consistency made an enormous difference: 

• Calls returned within 15 minutes, even after hours 
• Caseworkers visiting the home three times a week 
• Hands on support during school and therapy  
• Dedicated follow through from beginning to end 

“When I was a kid in the system, I only saw my caseworker once or twice a month,” Lorriene shared. “With Cayuga Centers, someone was always there when I needed support with Sean. It was a relief knowing help was always available.” 

The treatment team, however, is adamant that “the placement was successful because of Lorriene’s unconditional love and acceptance.” 

Progress didn’t happen overnight, but it happened. 

Today, Sean has made amazing strides. His destructive behaviors are a thing of the past, and he now controls his emotions better. He has a strong bond with his kinship foster parents and is gaining a sense of responsibility. 

In fact, Lorriene remembers when Sean saved his allowance to buy a gift for her husband. It was a small gesture that showed how far Sean had come. 

Ultimately, this progress helped Lorriene gain custody through Subsidized Permanent Legal Custodianship (SPLC). This agreement lets birth parents keep some parental rights. They may reunify when circumstances allow. 

Despite the challenges, Lorriene and her husband still work closely with Sean’s birth parents. They want to keep a healthy relationship. 

“It takes a village to raise a family,” she said.  

Advice for future foster parents   

Lorriene shares what has worked best for her: 

“Patience is a virtue. If you don’t have patience, you won’t be able to go far as a foster parent. If you can’t handle someone who has disabilities, tempers, or feelings of loss or loneliness, then this is not for you. Your love has to be able to conquer all.” 

A reminder that being a foster parent will be challenging and rewarding. 

A true foster care success story 

Sean thrived during his time with the Cayuga Centers treatment team, and the progress happened fast. Despite being in foster care for years before coming to Cayuga Centers, Sean reached SPLC faster than expected.

This outcome wasn’t accidental; Lorriene and her husband showed up every day ready to do the hard work. The treatment team wrapped around the family from day one, providing consistent support. And most of all, everyone involved remained committed.

Sean’s family shared that every person on the team left a positive mark on their lives. They were especially grateful for the encouragement, responsiveness, and steady positivity the team poured into Sean

This is what foster care success looks like: 

A child rediscovering trust, love, and confidence surrounded by a village that never gave up. 

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or learning about kinship care, visit https://cayugacenters.org/